Les Miles leaving LSU has become a really high possibility , according to official NFL website.
A big decision is going to be made within the next two weeks regarding the football program at Louisiana State University, one of the more well respected teams in the entire NCAA. The administration is going to have to figure out if it is time for them to pull the trigger on a new head coach and start a new era with a fresh face. As he continues to lead the team, Miles awaits his fate.
There are those associated with the university that are pushing for Miles to be removed as the head coach of the Tigers. The powerful booster club that financially supports the program has plenty of members that would love to start the rebuilding process with a new guy at the helm. The Tigers Athletic Foundation has made their desires know to LSU officials.
More fuel was added to the fire this weekend. An ugly 38-17 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday only caused more people to support the firing of Miles. There is also a big game against the Texas A&M Aggies coming up next weekend. A loss there could seal the fate of Miles, even though there are reports saying that the outcome of the game will have no bearing on their head coaching decision.
It is going to cost LSU approximately $15 million if they want to buy Miles out of his contract with the team. To give you an idea of just how badly the Tigers Athletic Foundation wants a new head coach for the Tigers, the boost club is more than willing to eat the cost of the buyout. They have already confirmed that there is plenty of money to make that payment.
The Tigers Athletic Foundation has already started to discuss potential replacements for Miles, even though he has yet to be relieved of his duties. Florida State University head coach Jimbo Fisher is a popular candidate. In six seasons with the Seminoles, Fisher has amassed a 67-13 record and brought FSU back to prominence. TCU head coach Gary Patterson and Clemson head coach Dabbo Swinney have also been mentioned.
A really interesting candidate to replace Miles is Jon Gruden. Every time a team in the NFL or NCAA fires their head coach, his name pops up because he is considered one of the brightest offensive minds in all of football. Everyone wants him, but no one has yet been able to convince him to leave his very high paying job as a broadcaster for ESPN, where he is the color commentator for Monday Night Football .
For everything good that Miles has done for LSU, Les is going to be judged on the fact that he has gone four consecutive seasons with three straight losses at the end of the schedule. That is a sign that he loses the support of his players after a grueling schedule. Universities would rather have head coaches who can maintain a good relationships with the players for years and years.
Since there are going to be a couple of openings in the NFL, Miles will be discussed as a potential head coach on the professional level. While he has spent the majority of his career on the collegiate level, Les does have three years of experience as the tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys, working under Chan Gailey and Dave Campo. The challenge of finding success on the next level could be rather appealing to Miles.
Les Miles leaving LSU would definitely be an end of an era in Baton Rouge.
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